2014 a year that will be remembered by all those passionate football enthusiasts. A year that saw several insurmountable highs and many unfathomable lows. A year that saw Brazil being beaten 7-1 in their own back yard and Manchester United finishing 7th in the EPL. A year that saw Lionel Messi overtaking Raul Gonzales to be the leading champions league goal scorer of all times and a year that saw Cristiano Ronaldo collecting his third Ballon D’or award.

The Ballon d’Or, meaning ‘the golden ball’ was conceived by France Football magazine chief editor Gabriel Hanot who asked his colleagues to vote for their best European player in 1956. Originally journalists could only vote for Europeans playing in Europe but a rule change in 1995 meant that players from other continents could win the award, as long as they played for a European club. The pool of journalists allowed to vote also increased to 96 around the world. Coaches and captains from around the world also voted. It also replaced the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year award. Cristiano “CR7” Ronaldo had a majestical year, a year he could do no wrong for his loyal fans.

These days ‘No goal for Ronaldo’ ranks as a news story. No Real Madrid scoreboard looks right unless his name is on it. The expectation that he will score has long since replaced the hope. And this, in a Real Madrid side who were first carried by him after his move from Manchester United, but have now moved into a second galactico era – with CR7 still as the virtuoso.

Real Madrid’s Decima was the crowning glory in Ronaldo’s career in Spain this far, and is more deserving of recognition than another Messi goalscoring avalanche or Neuer’s innovative goalkeeping for Germany.In that Champions League campaign Ronaldo scored a record 17 times. In La Liga he farmed 31 goals from 30 games. Earlier this year he won Best Forward, Best Goal and Best Player in La Liga for 2013-14. He hardly needs more gongs. Ronaldo’s weeping in victory last year showed how much it meant to him to be seen as a superior player to Messi, however small the margins. Defining himself against the adoration heaped on Messi in previous years has helped drive Ronaldo to the heights he now occupies. His talent is consistently applied. He has forbidden himself from having a quiet night, as if his brilliance has to be stated in every single outing for the world to believe it, or for Ronaldo himself to sleep at night. This restlessness and dynamism asks a lot from the body but his ability to make blasting runs is seldom disrupted by fatigue or injury.

Messi, on the other hand, was always the boy wonder of the tikki taka dream. He has won the award a record four times, with four players each having claimed it on three occasions: Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten and now Cristiano Ronaldo. Barcelona’s whole style of play and identity were built around him. There was never any question about his role or his political power, as Luis Enrique, the current coach, is learning. Around him were great facilitators: Xavi and Andres Iniesta, mainly. Messi’s development as the new Maradona was smoothly organised and brilliantly fulfilled by Messi himself.

His club side slipped, as a direct result of the little Argentinean wizard’s dip in form; Barcelona failed to win any silverware for the first time since 2008. At the World Cup Messi captained his side and showed glimpses of match-winning brilliance, but looked to be burned out. Despite his lack of sharpness he was able to steer his side to the final in Brazil, but Messi was heartbroken at the last and left to rue his missed opportunity.

The Ballon D’or award itself has some highs and lows. No player has won the award mor than four times. Most of the past winners played for Real Madrid or Barcelona. Manchester United is the only English team to have won the champions league and have a player winning the Ballon D’or award. In 9991 there was no 3rd place winner all three players tied for 2nd. Maradona, Maldini and Bergkam are some great football icons who have never one a Ballon D’or award.

Jermaine “tuffy” Anderson was in spanking form last night at the Drewsland Mini stadium. The game saw the the Spanish Town base team Rivoli creating the better chances. In minute number 11 Kemar Beckford weaved his way pass Rohan Amos and found himself with the goal keeper at his mercy but his ferocious kick went wide. Quick movements and some sloppy defending saw Kelso Cousins from Waterhouse making back to back saves. Cory Burke Rivoli’s talisman and player of the round for December was relatively quiet doing most of the passing to his strike partner Kemar Beckford.

Waterhouse however knows that if they are to get back their hands on the coveted Red Stripe Premier League trophy they have to beat Rovoli. The spectators were in no mood for any mediocre ball game, and kept shouting to the players to keep possession of the football. With that in the back of the players mind a nice through ball was played through for Stewart whose shot was comfortably saved by Campbell.

What seems to be a very poor exchange of passes by both teams finally picked in the 28th minute of play when Oshane Roberts who has been having success in his make shift position as a right back picked out Anderson with a telling cross. Anderson’s header from ten yards out beat a full stretched Campbell all ends up and curled in the back of the net. The first half ended with Rivoli trailing the home team Waterhouse.

After a stern team talk by both coaches Rivoli started the second half just as how they started the first pressing for that equalizing goal. In minute number 50 Kemar Beckford’s shot again was saved this time miraculously from ten yard by Cousins. I can safely say goalkeeper Cousins is well deserving of this month’s salary as again he was brought into action this time by Ross Burton. The chances swinging from end to end with chants and cheers from the jubilant supporter.

Captain Damarley Samuels gave the “firehouse” supporters something extra to cheer for as he made it 2- 0 in minute 55. Rivoli pressing higher up the field, left a little space for the speedy and skillful Juvaune Benjamin to get by his marker before whipping a cross in to find Anderson who unleashed a thunder bolt left foot shot to beat Campbell for the third time and Anderson’s second of the game. With little over 20 minutes to go in the second half and trailing by 3 goals, Rivoli is still of the belief that they are still in the game. Their brave effort was rewarded in the 70th minute when Burke’s shot was too hot for Cousins to handle and he coughed it up in the path of Davion Garrison for a easy finish.

Coach Patrick now decided to kill the game off so he introduced the diminutive magician Romario “rum rum” Campbell. He immediately got involved and start stringing passes left right and center with Bejamin, Stewart, Taylor and Gray. Some quick exchange of passes pulled the Rivoli defence to threads allowing Campbell to finish off a neat give and go from Stewart to make it 4-1. That was the icing on the cake as the Rivoli player sunk deeper in despair. Shortly afterwards referee Courtney Campbell brought the game to a close. The supporters were well served hoping they will get more of the same as Waterhouse travel to Boys Town on Sunday.

Waterhouse FC overcame a gallant challenge from Cellar dwellers Reno FC, before finally moving further away from the 5th place Rivoli FC and closer to 3rd place Habour View FC in a late kick off at Waterhouse Mini Stadium. Wendell Downswell’s Reno FC rooted at the bottom half of the table believed they have what it takes to match premier league superpower Waterhouse before quality finally told, on a late kick off at Drewsland last afternoon.

Waterhouse, however, had the class to avoid a potential upset as Tremaine Stewart’s spectacular 16th minute strike set the stadium ablaze. Despite having the lion’s share of possession and numerous attacks while camping in Reno’s half, the first half ended 1-0. A packed stadium, with mainly Waterhouse supporters were disgruntled and they did express their anger to the coaching staff and players while they headed to the dressing room.

Waterhouse started the second half exactly where they left off dictating the tempo of the game. Juvaune Benjamin, back from a red card suspension, sent the crowd into a frenzy with a well taken strike in the 53rd minute. Reno was determine not to roll over and play dead and was given a glorious opportunity to pull one back after a miscommunication between Nicholi Finlayson and Rohan Amos. But Craig Foster’s shot was punched over the crossbar by goalkeeper Kelso Cousins. Poor marking and incomplete passes were the order of the day for Reno. Oshane Roberts broke free from Orane Warren down the left flank and swung a low hard cross, which picked out an unmarked Benjamin, whose impeccable first touch was enough to skip beyond the grasp of the onrushing goalkeeper Devaughn Hawthrone, before slotting home for his second.

Immediately after the game was restarted by referee Kevin Morrison. Captain Craig Foster played a quick one-two to find Renario Downswell who out-foxed Amos and ended up one and one with the keeper but failed to score. Reno, a point adrift of safety, more than matched Waterhouse in the second half but coach Downswell will know that when the big chance comes along, even against opposition of such superior quality, it must be taken. A furious Downswell threw his hands to the heaven in minute number 72 when Raindo Vassell could not keep his composure after Afiba’s cross landed right at his feet. From close range, his finish was weak and Waterhouse keeper Cousins made an easy save.

Coach Patrick pulled out Stewart in the 80th minute to introduce Spanish Town High school teenage sensation Nathaniel Leslie. His quick feet and trickery provides the crowd with some energy and he was cheered on with every touch of the ball. Waterhouse killed the game off in the closing seconds when Roberts’s pass floated nicely to the technically-gifted teenage attacker who scored with a spectacular scissors kick. That strike is arguably the best goal of the competition so far. In a brief interview with Nathaniel Leslie he said ‘I felt the goal from the moment it left my foot’. All in all a gutsy performance from the Drewsland based team and a disappointed one for former champions Reno FC. Round 19 of the Red Strip Premier League continues on Sunday the 11th with a full slate of games.

Injuries has always been a manager’s nightmare. A manager who is no stranger to big clubs, big players and big games is Loius Van Gaal. Louis Van Gaal has managed and won titles in three different leagues. But has never faced a torrid injury crisis like that which he is now facing at his current club Manchester United. However, over the past week Louis Van Gaal smile is as wide as the ocean and as beautiful as Miss World, mainly because Manchester United have been bolstered by the return to fitness of Angel di Maria, Rafael, Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind, Marouane Fellaini and Antonio Valencia. Ashley Young is their only absentee with a hamstring injury. United’s results recently have shown that there are signs of life at Old Trafford, but it shouldn’t necessarily be the results that provide encouragement. That should come from the sense that no matter how good those results are, their manager will always want more.

Manchester United are now 10 games unbeaten in all competitions and is set to make it eleven on the trot when they play the return fixture with Southampton at old Trafford. Despite a stuttering sluggish start to their EPL campaign the ‘Red Devils’ results at Old Trafford have been really good of late, they have won their last five home games, which it is a telling sign that they are rebuilding their fortress. Southampton will have their own opportunities too, and the key for them will be how brave they are when they go forward. Southampton could hand a debut to Dutch winger Eljero Elia following his transfer from Werder Bremen.Nathaniel Clyne and Jack Cork have overcome ankle injuries but Maya Yoshida is on international duty.Sadio Mane could be out all month with a calf complaint, although he has been named in Senegal’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Southampton should have been a write-off after the sale of key players. At least, that’s what many pundits predicted in pre season. Mind you, it’s almost a year to the day since chairman Nicola Cortese left St Mary’s and last January there were some who predicted a doomsday scenario over his departure.It’s credit to the players and the shrewd management of Ronald Koeman that Southampton are looking to build on their impressive finish of eighth last season, especially after overcoming their recent blip – they’re now unbeaten in five games.

The Saints’ will have to produce a fine display at Old Trafford if they want to win, a ground which has produced over two-thirds of United’s current tally of 37 points. Though Southampton are yet to beat a team currently in the top five of the league table this can prove to be a tricky fixture. Ronald Koeman’s side have kept nine clean sheets in 20 games – a joint-league high along with Chelsea. They have conceded 15 goals this season, four fewer than any other club. James Ward-Prowse has provided three goal assists in his last three league appearances. Manchester United only home defeat came on the opening day of the season against Swansea. They have since earned 25 points from a possible 27, winning their last five. No side have scored more than once against the Red Devils in their last 12 league games, with Van Gaal’s side keeping four clean sheets during this period. Van Gaal has praised the patience of the United supporters and they will be applauding again if he steers them to their intended destination of a pathway into Europe with a top-four finish.

2014 has been an exciting year for reggae and dancehall songstress Kim Kelly, she released new music and a video for her hit single UIM Records produced “Plans Fi Yuh“, penned new music by notable producers to be released in 2015 and performed both in Canada and Jamaica.

Kim ended her successful year in Jamaica with her debut performance on the island, “This trip for me was the best yet and well worth it. For my first time I experienced being at Sting 2014. Had the chance to listen and watch how the legends do what they do so I can learn and take what I need to take. Even though I did not perform I still got a chance to network and do couple interviews. I also had the chance to perform for the first time in Jamaica at Galiday Bounce in Linstead. That was definitely an experience, I watch that show over and over knowing I have more to offer this world. 2014 was a blessed year for me now I enter into 2015 with a positive an hopeful mentally and thankful for all the support I been receiving.” stated the songbird.

As 2015 kicks in high gear for the artist, Kim is finally releasing her anticipated video for her One Drop Reggae Love song co-produced by Jamaica’s DJ Goffe Productions “Fall In Love“. Filmed on location in Jamaica, “Fall In Love”, was her second video shot by Xtreme Arts, directed by Nellie Roxx. “I had an amazing time at Sams Beach filming Fall In Love. I’m a romantic at heart and the song is dear to my heart so to act it out felt very natural.” Kim.